Caribbean and Central America Travel

The Emerald Isle in the Caribbean, Montserrat is so named due to the island’s resemblance to that of Ireland’s and its Irish population. Road littered with volcanic rocks, not one stoplight in the entire island and a handful of hotel and guesthouses, Montserrat offer its guests a different Caribbean experience.

The first settlers of Montserrat, the Caribs calls the island Alliouagana – Land of the Prickly Bush – due to its rough terrain. Christopher Columbus, when he claimed the island for Spain had the same idea – he named it Santa Maria de Montserrate. He named it after the Blessed Virgin of the Monastery of Montserrat that is perch on top of the Mountain of Montserrat.

Though majority of its early European settlers were Irish, it was the British who was able to take control of the island. At one point, the French (aided by the Irish), was able to seize control from the British. However, after the Treaty of Paris was signed, the island reverted back to British rule.
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Are you scheduled to fly into Haiti anytime soon? If you are one of the many who couldn’t fly into the small Caribbean country because of the devastation the January 12 earthquake caused, you might want to check with your airline about rebooking your flight.

American Airlines have already cancelled all their flights to Haiti following the Haiti government’s request not to allow commercial flights into the country. Travelers who have booking with AA can change their bookings without any fees nor penalty until February 14.

Spirit Airlines still fly to Haiti, but only to carry supplies and medical aid teams. Its commercial service has already been suspended until Sunday. Passengers who are set to travel to or from Haiti between now and January 20 may rebook their tickets without penalty, as long as the new departure date is on or before Feburary 28, 2010. Those who wish to rebook their flights to March 1 onwards, can do so without penalty, but will have to pay the difference in the fare.
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Flying to Haiti anytime soon? Before you pack your bags, double check with your airline first, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has stopped all civilian flights from the United States to Haiti, at the request of the Haitian government. The 7.0 magnitude earthquake last January 12 did a lot of damage in the small Caribbean country, including the international airport in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Due to this, there are no room for planes landing and as jet fuel runs low, there may not be enough for planes to refuel for the flight back. It is no news yet when the Haiti airspace will once again be clear for commercial flights.

However, there is still a way for you to go to Haiti: The Royal Caribbean cruise ship Independence of the Seas will be docking at Haiti’s northern coast three times next week as scheduled. Labadee, an island on the northern coast of Haiti, is far from the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince and the epicenter of the earthquake. It is a privately owned island, where the cruiseliner dock. Labadee island offers cruisers pristine white beaches, all kinds of watersports, flee markets and a zip-line.

The next two weeks will see more than 10,000 vacationers who are on board Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice. Aside from holiday makers, the cruiseliners will also be carrying much needed relief for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the Caribbean has been struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake last January 12. The city of Port-au-Prince was flattened and more than 100,000 are feared dead.

Because Haiti does not have enough infrastructure for relief, aid is very much needed. Here are different ways that you can donate to the Haiti disaster relief:

Google Support Disaster Response
Gives a great overview on ways you can help the victims of this disaster. Donations through Unicef and CARE are also accepted.

Oxfam
Oxfam is the collaborative effort of 14-like minded organizations working to bring positive change. They currently have ground staff in Haiti helping out with relief operations. Donations can be made through their American or UK site.

If you’re in the US, you can send donations through your mobile phone:
Text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts
Text “YELE” to 501501 to Donate $5 to Yele Haiti’s Earthquake Relief efforts

Now that the holidays are just around the corner, more and more great Caribbean holiday packages are being offered by travel agents. These Caribbean package tours can include everything or just the bare necessities.

There are Caribbean holiday tours that covers everything you’ll be needing: return tickets from your city, hotel accommodations, Caribbean island hopping tour packages, watersport activities, spa treatments and many more. While some can just include the flight to the Caribbean and your hotel room.

Whatever your budget or travelling style, you’re sure to find a great Caribbean travel deal to match. Head to your nearest travel agent, and be on your way to sun and sand.